You might not think much about how your air conditioner operates, but it depends on refrigerant to keep your home fresh. This refrigerant is controlled by environmental rules, since it contains chemicals.
Depending on when your air conditioner was installed, it may require R-22, R-410A or R-32 refrigerant. We’ll go over the differences and which air conditioner refrigerants are being phased out in Wausau, in addition to how these phaseouts impact you.
What’s R-22 and Why Is It Discontinued?
If your air conditioner was put in before 2010, it possibly uses Freon®. You can find out if your air conditioner uses it by calling us at 715-301-0727. You can also inspect the name plate on your air conditioner condenser, which is found outside your house. This sticker will contain information on what type of refrigerant your AC has.
Freon, which is also referred to as R-22, contains chlorine. Scientists consider this chemical to be harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and one that prompts global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls refrigerants in the United States, outlawed its production and import in January 2020.
I Use an Air Conditioner with R-22. Do I Need to Get a New One?
It depends. If your air conditioning is running properly, you can continue to use it. With routine air conditioner maintenance, you can expect your air conditioning to last around 15–20 years. However, the Department of Energy notes that substituting a 10-year-old air conditioner could save you 20–40% on annual cooling bills!
If you don’t install a new air conditioner, it might cause difficulties if you have to have air conditioning repair in the future, specifically for refrigerant. Repairs may be higher-priced, because only reduced levels of recycled and reclaimed R-22 is available.
With the discontinuation of R-22, a lot of new air conditioners now rely on Puron®. Also known as R-410A, this refrigerant was developed to keep the ozone layer healthy. Since it calls for a varying pressure level, it isn’t compatible with air conditioners that use R-22 for cooling.
However, Puron still has the potential to lead to global warming. As a consequence, it might also ultimately be ended. Although it hasn’t been communicated yet for residential air conditioners, it’s anticipated sometime this decade.
What Refrigerant Will Take Over R-410A?
In preparation of the discontinuation, some brands have started using R-32 in new air conditioners. This refrigerant ranks low for global warming possibility—approximately one-third less than R-410A. And it also reduces energy use by around 10%, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. That’s savings that could be passed on to you through your cooling costs.
Gilray Heating and Cooling Can Provide Support with All Your Air Conditioning Needs
In summary, the modifications to air conditioner refrigerant probably won’t impact you very much until you need repairs. But as we went over beforehand, repairs connected to refrigerant might be pricier due to the reduced levels that are accessible.
In addition to that, your air conditioner often breaks down at the worst time, often on the warmest day when we’re getting many other calls for AC repair.
If your air conditioner uses a phased out refrigerant or is aging, we advise getting a new, energy-efficient air conditioner. This provides a hassle-free summer and may even decrease your electrical expenses, especially if you select an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner. Plus, Gilray Heating and Cooling offers many financing solutions to make your new air conditioner work with your budget. Contact us at 715-301-0727 to start now with a free estimate.